Wes Henderson, a Kentucky bourbon executive, was dismissed from his position earlier this month after relatives accused him of secretly recording family members and visitors at his residences and a castle resort, according to multiple reports.
TKC Distilling, which owns The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey, removed Henderson as chief executive officer on Oct. 3.
Relatives sued Henderson in Oldham County, Kentucky, in June, The Courier Journal reported after obtaining a complaint that has since been sealed.
Wes Henderson, Angel’s Envy Chief Innovations Officer at the time, attends the Unbridled Eve Gala during the 144th Kentucky Derby at Galt House Hotel & Suites on May 4, 2018, in Louisville, Ky. (Getty Images for Unbridled Eve)
The Department of Homeland Security is now reviewing the hidden recordings Henderson allegedly made, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. News Media contacted DHS seeking comment.
Henderson’s attorney said in a statement, cited by the Herald-Leader, that his client “unequivocally denies the allegations in the lawsuit.” The attorney added that the complaint was expected to be voluntarily dismissed and that Henderson would “vigorously defend himself” if the case continued.
According to family members, they found concealed cameras during a June 2025 visit to Henderson’s vacation property near Melbourne, Florida. They said they removed roughly 15 devices, including cameras disguised as smoke or fire alarms, as well as others hidden inside a fan, clock, speaker, charging blocks and outlet extenders.
The relatives also allegedly discovered a camera inside a bathroom air vent and video that appeared to show Henderson placing a camera in front of a bed.
The complaint alleged that visitors were recorded without their knowledge while changing clothes, using bathrooms and engaging in sexual activity. Some of the footage reportedly showed Henderson, who is married, having sex with other women.
The filing further alleged that minors were captured on video while nude. After examining some of the recordings, family members handed the evidence to law enforcement.
The lawsuit said Henderson’s wife later authorized relatives to search the couple’s home in Oldham County, where they allegedly found more hidden cameras.
Additional memory cards reportedly contained footage recorded at The Kentucky Castle in Versailles, Kentucky, which Henderson owns.
Kentucky Castle in Lexington, Kentucky. (Education Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The complaint reportedly named 40 people who allegedly appeared in the recordings without their knowledge or consent. Among them was a person described as homeless who appeared to carry a medical device into a restroom.
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The plaintiffs are seeking compensation for pain and suffering as well as medical costs, and they have requested a jury trial, The Courier Journal reported.
Charity Bird, an attorney for TKC Distilling, told News Media that the company is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit. She said Kyle Henderson, Wes Henderson’s son, will assume the CEO role at The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey.
“The Board and leadership of TKC Distilling, the parent company of The Kentucky Castle and True Story Whiskey, have terminated the employment of CEO Wes Henderson, effective immediately, in light of allegations outlined in a recently filed lawsuit,” Bird said in an emailed statement.
In a statement to the Herald-Leader, Henderson’s lawyer again rejected the accusations. The attorney said Henderson anticipated that the plaintiffs would withdraw the lawsuit but was prepared to contest the claims if they moved forward.
Wes Henderson attends the 145th Kentucky Derby Unbridled Eve Gala at The Galt House Hotel & Suites Grand Ballroom in Louisville, Ky., on May 3, 2019. (Getty Images for Unbridled Eve)
Separately, TKC Distilling and affiliated companies have been sued over allegations that they failed to pay architectural and consulting invoices.
Henderson, a former firefighter, recently took a leave of absence as the Oldham County deputy coroner, Oldham County Coroner David Pendleton told the Courier Journal.
Meanwhile, the exact location of the recordings and devices remains unclear.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office in Florida and the Oldham County Police Department in Kentucky did not immediately respond to News Media’s requests for comment on whether they have taken possession of the evidence.
Versailles Police Chief Rob Young told News Media that his department is “not involved in the investigation.”
“We don’t know anything about it,” Young said.
Bird said that TKC Distilling’s board plans to “conduct a full and independent investigation into the allegations.”
“The company remains committed to addressing the matter responsibly and to ensuring that the investigation is conducted thoroughly and fairly.”
Henderson could not immediately be reached for comment.